Responsible rabbit raising since 1918
Gary Robbins 1942-2025
Honorary lifetime VIRBA member Gary Robbins passed away Dec. 5, 2025. Gary and his wife Sherry, assisted by many family members (especially daughter Samantha) worked tirelessly for the club at all times, but especially each year at the Saanich Fair. He served VIRBA in a number of executive capacities, most recently as Director.
A service and reception will be held Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026 at 2:30 pm at St. Mary the Virgin Church, 1701 Elgin Rd. in Oak Bay. A link to Gary's obituary is here: https://www.legacy.com/ca/obituaries/timescolonist/name/gary-robbins-obituary?id=60333616
Saanich Fair
2025
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Thanks to everyone who attended the Saanich Fair on the Labour Day weekend this year! Photos from top left:
1. Welcome to the rabbit show!
2. Line-ups stretched around the barn to pet a baby rabbit.
3. Elizabeth Antao’s Rex wins Best In Show Saturday Aug. 30. Judge Mary Whitney.
4. Judy Currie’s New Zealand wins Reserve in Show Aug. 30. Judge Mary Whitney.
5. Elizabeth Antao’s Rex wins again – Best In Show Sunday Aug. 31. Judge Nancy Richmond.
6. Cavy (guinea pig) show winners Sunday Aug. 31 owned by Tyler Strank. Judge Nancy Richmond.
7. English Spot was Best Opposite in Show Sunday Aug. 31. Judge Nancy Richmond.
VIRBA lawn show June 7, 2025
Thanks to everyone who attended our fun lawn show and potluck lunch! And thanks to ARBA judge Callie Weber of WA for again judging our show.
Congratulations to Greg Sampson for Best In Show with a Florida White, and to Becky Dinesen for Reserve with an English Spot. Sally Forseth's New Zealand was Best of the Opposites.
VIRBA June 8, 2024
Fun Lawn Show!
Thank you to everyone who joined us at Judy's place in Victoria, BC for an outdoor ARBA sanctioned show on Saturday June 8! Thank you to Callie Weber of WA for making the trip up and providing excellent judging of our 110 entries. The potluck lunch was excellent and we could not have asked for a better day. We especially appreciate our out-of-town exhibitors from up-Island and the lower mainland.
Congratulations to Greg Sampson for his Best In Show and Best of the Best Opposites wins with his Florida Whites, and to LaTaya Prato for her Reserve in Show win with her Holland Lop.
Club workshop July 9
Thanks to VIRBA members who contributed their time and expertise for a great workshop Sunday July 9! Photos are of grooming tips demonstrated by Leanne Robinson.
Saanich Fair Sept. 2023
Thanks to judges Nina Menard and Nancy Richmond for judging Saturday and Sunday, including a cavy show. Results for Saturday: Best in Show was Dillon Clark's Florida White, Reserve in Show was Judy' Currie's New Zealand, and Best of Opposites was Kathy Mannweiler's Florida White.
Results for Sunday: Best In Show was Kathy Mannweiler's Polish, Reserve in Show was Beth Caskey's English Spot, and Best of Opposites was Judy Currie's New Zealand. Best in Show Cavy: Darla Clark's American. Reserve was Kathy Mannweiler's Abyssinian.
June 10, 2023 VIRBA show in Victoria!
Thanks to our wonderful exhibitors and great judges Stephen Hultholm and Jordan Miner for making our 2023 Spring into Summer show a success!
Best In Show A was a Blue Rex doe owned by Elizabeth Antao, while Best in Show B was the sister to the show A winner, owned by Eboni Johnson. Reserve in Show A was Dillon Clark's Netherland Dwarf and Reserve in Show B was Judy Currie's New Zealand, while Farren Robinson's Orange Netherland Dwarf was Best of the Opposites for both shows.
Best in Show Cavy was Brynn Lamont and Reserve was Kathy Mannweiler.
Saanich Fair 2022
After not being able to have a show at the Saanich Fair in 2020 or 2021, it was very gratifying to again host rabbits over the Labour Day weekend at the Saanich Fair. Both shows were judged by Autumn Dennistoun of WA and Judy Currie and Kathy Mannweiler shared Best In Show and Reserve In Show honours for both.
Saanich Fair 2022
Kathy Mannweiler (above) wins Best In Show A with a Florida White. Judy Currie (below) wins Best In Show B with a New Zealand White.
June 11 show a success!
Approximately 100 rabbits and 30 cavies were entered in the first VIRBA club shows in three years. Thanks to our Judges: Autumn Dennistoun, Ramie Grissom and Diana Mortensen for helping us with a successful double show. Judy's Black New Zealand won Best In Show both shows, while Lois' Champagne was Reserve in Show A, and Daina's White Rex was Reserve in Show B.
Introducing the Pacific Awards!
If you are a member of VIRBA, Rabbits BC, or Gone Coastal for Rabbits in BC, you are automatically eligible to participate in this new sweepstakes! By entering your rabbits or cavies at any show in BC sponsored by one of these clubs, your winnings mean points that will count towards the annual sweepstakes. There will be awards for the top exhibitors in each breed. The first show for 2022 will be hosted by Rabbits BC in Cobble Hill on Vancouver Island March 18-19.
Rabbit article in Island Farm & Garden Magazine
The May-June 2021 issue of Island Farm & Garden features an article about rabbit raising, and our club: https://issuu.com/islandfarmandgarden/docs/island_farm_and_garden-may-2021 (click on the photo below to go to the magazine article)
COVID and upcoming shows
There were no shows in 2020, and shows were cancelled in 2021 (including the rabbir show at the Saanich Fair) due to COVID-19 restrictions. Finally, after two years, Rabbits BC hosted a sanctioned show in Cobble Hill BC on Oct. 16, 2021. Results are here.
June 2019 100+1 show results
Results from the last show we were able to host, before COVID restrictions took effect.
Past show results
Results from VIRBA shows, Saanich Fair, and more.
Photo Gallery
Enjoy the memories.
